Jesus this Norge. What gives? - I think Norge/No(r)way is a prime example about the crucial meaning of culture in the success of any human endeavour on any arena of life. The natural climato-ecological conditions are optimal for hockey in Norge but all we have is some demi Italian Zuccarello in the Rangers coming from the land of brisk bearded fishermen while names like Shampoo Knudsen and Thoeressen or something still ring my bell. Hockey just isn't a sport of interest or significance in Norge unlike skiing cross country n alpine, ski jumping and soccer/hand ball to some extent. Otherwise they just yodle and fish "torsk og sei". And don't get me wrong. I am a huge Norway fun been visiting the country often. The landscapes are stunning and the people bold and beautiful.
But this hockey thing, dear Norway. It is just not happening there. I mean, relegation to IB division, really?! Next you will be facing teams from some Turkey, Morocco and Mexico, I reckon. Yikes.
You lack the history and culture. That is the thing. Zuccarello can pot 50 goals in a season and win the cup, yet it would be mentioned passingly in Verdens Gang while Holmenkollen World Cup event occupies five pages. Yikes.